Security

By 2026, Peshmerga's 70, 80 units will be united: KRG Minister of Peshmerga

Regarding Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s visit to Washington, D.C., the minister said the Prime Minister’s visit was “timely.”

Kurdistan 24 2024/03/09 22:34

Shorish Ismail, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, speaking to Kurdistan24, March 9, 2024. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

Kurdistan Masrour Barzani Shorsh Ismail Peshmerga unification US Department of Defense

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Shorish Ismail, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, told Kurdistan24 that “by September 2026, the Peshmerga's 70 to 80 units will be united.”

Regarding Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s visit to Washington, D.C., the minister said the Prime Minister’s visit was “timely.”

“The US officials discussed the role of the Peshmerga forces and assured them that Washington would continue to assist the Peshmerga forces,” Ismail stated.

He also revealed that the US and its allies have highlighted the courage and struggle of the Kurdish people, and “the US supports the stability of the Kurdistan Region and encourages Iraq to resolve its issues peacefully with the Kurdistan Region.”

The Peshmerga Minister said that the US Department of Defense commended the steps taken to unite the Peshmerga forces.

Moreover, he stressed that the US is important to the Kurds to be united, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) must put aside their differences and face the threats together.

“The relations between the Peshmerga and the US Department of Defense are long-term and strategic,” he added.

On Feb. 25, the Kurdistan Region Premier arrived in Washington, D.C., and met with senior US officials including Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State.